Boom stand

ABSTRACT

A boom stand is constructed from a base, extensible stand, pivotal boom support, and boom. The base has arcuately segmented massive anchors that form a perimeter. The arcuately segmented massive anchors are shaped and sized to fit within the perimeter of like bases, to decrease minimum distances between stands during storage or close use, while still providing stability. Over-center clamps provided on the extensible stand are extruded to include unitary cord guides, and are engaged with tube ends to prevent rotation or accidental removal. The pivotal boom support incorporates a disc and elastomeric pads to provide superior locking and vibration reduction, and utilizes in alternative embodiments perimeter and central over-center clamps which further enhance the operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains generally to supports, and more specifically tostands, brackets and bases for supports. In a most preferredmanifestation of the invention, the invention pertains to microphonestands.

2. Description of the Related Art

Boom stands, which will be understood herein as vertically rising standshaving at least one arm capable of extension in a horizontal direction,are used to support many diverse items. Lights, microphones, cameras,and many other electrical and non-electrical items too numerous toindividually list herein are supported thereon. Most commonly, the itemto be supported will preferably be easily relocated, as will the standor at least the boom. This ability to provide relatively adjustable andeasily relocated support is in great demand. Frequently, a plurality ofthese boom stands will be required, such as, for exemplary purposes butnot limited thereto, in the case of a musical or theatrical performancewhere different performers or different parts of a stage are preferredto be either illuminated or coupled into an audio system.

Depending upon the particular item to be supported, the boom stand mayhave several requirements which must be met to perform satisfactorily.Among these, one common requirement is the ability to readily andrapidly reposition the boom, and then subsequent to the repositioning,anchor the boom into a new fixed position. This ability to readily andrapidly reposition the boom permits the stand to be placed at aconvenient location along the ground or floor, without great care in theprecise positioning. Once the base is located, then the boom arm may bemoved into proper alignment. When any of the moving joints orconnections are adjusted into new position, it is most desirable for thepositions to be arrived at smoothly, and then locked into place withoutsignificant change of position during the locking procedure.

Since the boom may extend some distance from the base, it is generallydesirable to incorporate significant mass into the base, to provide somemeasure of stability during movement or adjustment of the boom andsubsequent thereto to best maintain the location of the boom.Unfortunately, in the prior art this often led to the use of a large andvery massive base, typically of disc, slightly domed, or similar shape.Such a base is not readily transported, nor can it be used or stored inclose arrangement with other bases. Consequently, it is not possible totightly and compactly arrange, use or store a plurality of similarstands.

To provide more compact storage and lighter weights, a number ofdesigners have resorted to tripod stands. These stands are extremelyundesirable for several different reasons. First and foremost, thetripod legs, to avoid the need for substantial mass, must be relativelylong. Long legs in turn form a serious hazard for anyone passing near tothe boom stand. In the event a boom stand is accidentally knocked over,the item supported thereon may be destroyed. In the case of theperforming arts, the microphones that are supported thereon may costthousands of dollars to replace. Furthermore, the disruption to aperformance when a stand is accidentally toppled is highly undesirable.

While the application for the boom stand will to some degree potentiallyaffect the various dimensions and some of the configurations not only ofthe base, but of the stand as well, including such things as particularlengths or dimensions of the base and the boom, most desirably a boomstand will offer substantial flexibility in both application andphysical arrangement and positioning. This flexibility is a desirablepart of the benefits of such a stand, which is in part what separatessuch a stand from a fixture or anchored support.

One of the major factors which controls the applications for which thestand may be used is the coupling between boom and stand. Heretofore inthe prior art, one such connection was made as a simple solid connectionby thumbscrew or the like to pull two flat surfaces together. This typeof connection had almost no resistance to pivotal forces, since themeasure of forces upon an arm are calculated by not only the forceapplied, but also by the distance from the point of rotation.Consequently, when even a small force is applied at a great distancesuch as at or near the end of a boom arm, the force is magnified by themultiple of relative distance from pivot. Said another way, a firstforce applied at ten times the distance from a pivot as a second pointwould require ten times the first force to be applied in an oppositedirection at the second point to cancel the first force. In the case ofa small knuckle serving as the pivot, this knuckle may be hundreds oreven thousands of times closer to the pivot than the end of the boom,and consequently require hundreds or thousands of times the force toprevent rotation about the pivotal axis. As is known in the industry,all too often even minor forces of only a few pounds at the end of theboom overcome the resistance at the knuckle, since these few poundsrequire thousands of pounds of force to stop such rotation. As a result,the few pounds of force cause the boom to realign undesirably, andtherefore require all too frequent re-alignment.

Several different approaches have been attempted to overcome theinherent limitations of these small knuckles or flexible joints. Onesuch approach is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,478 by Schoenig etal, the contents which are incorporated herein by reference. Asillustrated therein, the knuckle may comprise two discs designed to matetogether at surfaces that are rippled in a complementary radial patternabout the pivot point. As long as both surfaces have complementarygeometries, then the engagement of the ridges on one surface occurwithin the valleys of the opposing surface. To rotate the joint, onemust first loosen a bolt passing through the pivot point, to allow thetwo surfaces to climb up ridge to ridge before passing into the nextcomplementary ridge-valley spacing. When the most desirableridge-to-valley position is located, then the bolt passing through thepivotal axis may be tightened to prevent any further movement. Since anyrotation would require a spreading of the two surfaces, this type ofconnection frequently has substantial strength and rigidity, so long asthe bolt through the pivotal axis is kept secure. Unfortunately, andowing to the discontinuous nature of the engaging surfaces, movement ofsuch a pivotal joint is precarious. Said another way, when the boltholding the two surfaces tightly in engagement is loosened just beyondthe point required to permit ridge-peak to ridge-peak contact betweenthe two surfaces, then all resistance is suddenly and instantaneouslylost, and the boom is entirely free to move and drop. So, in order toobtain rotary movement, there is no ability to gradually reduce thefrictional forces, but instead the movement occurs instantaneously andsometimes without warning. A number of additional patents illustrate thevarious techniques that have been tried with these relatively smallknuckles, including Lewis in U.S. Pat. No. 2,532,173; Hoshino in U.S.Pat. No. 5,146,808; Arledge in U.S. Pat. No. 5,757,943; and Dunbar in2002/0066837, the contents of each which are incorporated herein byreference.

Other artisans have proposed addressing the force amplification orleveraging by providing an anchoring or locking arrangement whichcircumscribes the pivotal axis, but which is displaced therefrom by someradial distance. Exemplary of such an arrangement is Masterson in U.S.Pat. No. 2,527,436, the contents which are incorporated herein byreference. While this arrangement requires somewhat more space than theknuckle would, the relative distances between pivot and boom end versuspivot and locking point are substantially reduced, and then the amountof force and also the amount of ingenuity required to operate the devicetend to be better kept in check. Nevertheless, these arrangements stillplace significant forces upon a small thumbscrew or the like, and sucharrangement will invariably fail when relatively meager forces areapplied at the ends of the boom. Additional patents which illustratethis type of mount include Schaafin U.S. Pat. No. 1,517,251; Gelb inU.S. Pat. No. 1,611,903; Wright in U.S. Pat. No. 2,129,898; Diesbach inU.S. Pat. No. 2,278,250; Curtis in U.S. Pat. No. 2,299,683; Wright inU.S. Pat. No. 2,366,950; Blair in U.S. Pat. No. 2,481,717; Gebhardt inU.S. Pat. No. 4,773,621; Wu in U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,621; and Chen in U.S.Pat. No. 6,481,913, the contents of each which are incorporated hereinby reference. With each of these designs, any vibrations that areinduced in the shaft will be directly transferred through to the boomand ultimately to the device. Where sensitive electrical or electronicdevices are placed upon these mounts, including such devices asmicrophones, lights, cameras or the like, this transmission of vibrationis clearly undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first manifestation, the invention is a microphone boom standuniquely adapted to provide both rigid support and vibration damping. Astand rises from a base and elevates a boom adapted to support amicrophone in a location horizontally displaced from the stand. A clampsecures boom to stand, and selectively controls pivotal relative motionbetween boom and stand. The clamp is convertible between clamping andpivoting. The clamp has a core, a backing member, and at least oneelastomeric member between core and backing member that is in frictionalengagement with core and backing member when the clamp is arranged toprevent motion between boom and stand.

In a second manifestation, the invention is, in combination, a boomstand base having a center and an outer perimeter spaced from said basecenter and a boom stand having a boom for supporting an object at alocation offset from said base center in a direction perpendicular togravity and offset from base center in a direction parallel to gravity.The improvement comprises a plurality of arcuate massive anchorsextending generally about and spaced from base center by arms extendingtherefrom. Adjacent ones of the arms and adjacent ones of the pluralityof arcuate massive anchors primarily bound openings therebetween. Atleast one of the arcuate massive anchors is sized to fit within a spacedefined by least one of the bounded openings and a planar surfacebeneath and supporting the plurality of arcuate massive anchors.

In a third manifestation, the invention is a boom stand base. The basehas first, second and third arms extending radially from a center pointand subtending a circle into similar angular displacements. First,second and third massive anchors are attached on the respective ends ofthe first, second and third arms, each at a location distal to thecenter point, and extending generally arcuately and discontinuouslyabout a circular circumference generally concentric with the centerpoint. Each of the first, second and third massive anchors are spacedfrom adjacent massive anchors by an amount greater than that required topermit an object dimensioned similar to at least one of the first,second and third arms to pass therebetween and spaced from adjacentmassive anchors by an amount less than a distance required to pass anobject sized similar to the first second and third massive anchorstherebetween at the object's maximum dimension.

In a fourth manifestation, the invention is a clamp for clamping a firsttube concentrically about a second tube to form a generally fixedmechanical relationship therebetween. The clamp has a substantiallyconstant operative cross-sectional shape between a first longitudinalend and a second longitudinal end. An inner surface is operative toapply compressive forces against the first tube, and a means is providedfor compressing the inner surface. A cord retention clip is formedunitarily with the clamp exterior surface, operatively extending betweenfirst longitudinal end and second longitudinal end, and adapted toelastically retain an electrical cord therein.

In a fifth manifestation, the invention is a boom stand uniquely adaptedto provide rigid support and smooth adjustment. A clamp has a clampingarrangement that secures a boom adapted to support a load in a locationhorizontally displaced from a riser to the riser. The clamp also has apivoting arrangement which permits relative motion between boom andriser, and is convertible between clamping and pivoting arrangements.The clamp includes both a core and a backing member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention solve inadequacies of theprior art by providing a boom stand having a massive but limited basewhich is readily interweaved with other bases of like construction, anover-center clamping apparatus for securing boom to stand that includeselastomeric retention and isolation and integral cable guides, andover-center clamps that control extension or retraction of the stand andthat also include integral cable guides.

A first object of the invention is to provide a movable and yet denselystored support stand. A second object of the invention is to ensurerigid orientation of boom to stand even under substantial forces, whilestill providing the benefits of elastomeric coupling and isolation.Another object of the present invention is to obtain the foregoingobjects using mechanisms which are intuitive to operate and which may beoperated quickly. An additional object of the invention is to provide anoperating mechanism for positioning the boom which operates smoothly,and which provides gradual and predictable variation in the amount offorce resistant to pivoting. A further object of the invention is toprovide a stand which is uniquely suited to securely supporting even themost expensive and sensitive equipment in a safe manner. Yet anotherobject of the present invention is to reduce the likelihood ofentanglement prevalent in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and novel features of thepresent invention can be understood and appreciated by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment designed in accord with theteachings of the present invention from a side plan view.

FIG. 2 illustrates a stand assembly used in the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration from a front view.

FIG. 3 illustrates the stand assembly of FIG. 2 from a side view andshowing the boom inserted therein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred base from a bottom view, designed inaccord with the teachings of the present invention and operable inassociation with the stand assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates the base assembly of FIG. 4 from a sectional viewtaken along line 5′ of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment clamping apparatus designed inaccord with the teachings of the present invention and used in thepreferred embodiment of FIG. 1 from an exploded assembly view.

FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment stand extension clamp designedin accord with the teachings of the present invention from a topexploded view.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a preferred embodiment pivot block operablewith the preferred embodiment clamping apparatus of FIG. 6 from side andend views, respectively.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the outlines of preferred embodiment brakepad backers and brake pads operable with the preferred embodimentclamping apparatus of FIG. 6 from side and end views, respectively.

FIG. 12 illustrates a preferred embodiment clamp handle designed inaccord with the teachings of the present invention from a top view.

FIG. 13 illustrates a second preferred embodiment clamp handle designedin accord with the teachings of the present invention from a top view.

FIG. 14 illustrates a preferred embodiment tube cooperative with anextension designed in accord with the teachings of the present inventionfrom a side partial cut-away view.

FIG. 15 illustrates a plurality of preferred bases of FIG. 4 from abottom view.

FIG. 16 illustrates a preferred coupler and joint from a side view,designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention andoperable in association with the stand assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 illustrates the preferred coupler of FIG. 16 from a top viewwith the coupler and joint arranged linearly, and with the coupler clamphardware removed for ease of view and understanding.

FIGS. 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 illustrate a preferred microphone pivotclamp from end, side, bottom, top cross-section and side cross-sectionviews, respectively.

FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 illustrate a preferred microphone-end swivelhalf from side, end, bottom, top and opposed end views, respectively.

FIGS. 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 illustrate a preferred tube-end swivel halffrom side, end, bottom, top and opposed end views, respectively.

FIGS. 33 and 34 illustrate a preferred microphone pivot pin from sideand end views, respectively, designed in accord with the teachings ofthe present invention and operable in association with the preferredcoupler of FIGS. 16 and 17.

FIGS. 35 and 36 illustrate a preferred auxiliary boom clamp assemblyfrom side and top views, respectively, designed in accord with theteachings of the present invention and operable in association with thepreferred boom stand 10 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Manifested in the preferred embodiment, the present invention provides aboom stand 10 which is adapted to support one or more of a variety ofknown devices thereon. More specifically, but not limited thereto,microphones, cameras, lights, medical equipment, and many other devicesmay be supported therefrom. For reasons to be explained herein below,the support of sensitive electrical or electronic equipment is mostpreferred, especially pertaining to microphones, but the application ofthe present invention is not solely limited thereto and is insteadcontemplated by the present inventors to have other applications aswell.

Boom stand 10 includes a base 100 which is designed to support boomstand 10 upon a floor or other surface. Most preferably, though not anabsolute requisite, the floor or other surface will be relatively planaror flat, at least in the region adjacent to base 100. This permits base100 to be formed with points of contact all in a planar relationship,thereby removing any need for special supporting contact points orleveling feet or the like. Arising from base 100 is a stand 200, whichin the preferred embodiment boom stand 10 is an extension standcomprising several telescoping segments such as segment 210 separatedand locked into place by locking members 220. At the top of stand 200distal to base 100 is a pivoting boom support clamp 300, carryingthereon a boom 400. Boom 400, like stand 200, may in the preferredembodiment include a plurality of telescoping tubular sections such assection 210 interconnected and held in relative placement by additionallocking members 220. At the end of boom 400 closest to the load to besupported, a separate pivotal joint 420 may be provided with a stub oradditional coupler 421. To this coupler 421 any of a wide variety ofalready known component supports may be attached, the details which arenot critical to the proper operation of the present invention. Exemplarythereof and incorporated herein by reference for the teaching theretoare such patents as U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,807 to Brewer, as well as theother patents mentioned herein above which provide similar teachings forcomponent support from a boom arm. Distal to coupler 421 is anadjustable counterweight 410, which is preferred to maintain balanceacross boom 400.

An optional boom 401 may be provided, which is functionally andstructurally similar to boom 400, and which has therefore, whereappropriate, been numbered with like numbers. However, rather thanmounting directly to the top of stand 200, boom 401 may be clamped aboutstand 200 through a clamp 411, which in the preferred embodiment willinclude suitable mating or coupling into auxiliary boom clamp 600. Itwill be apparent that one or more optional booms 401 may be provided atvarious vertical locations upon stand 200, and the use of more than onesuch boom 401 is contemplated herein, depending upon the needs of theuser for a given application. Additionally, optional boom 401 may serveas a retrofit for existing stands from the prior art, and application ofboom 401 is therefore not solely limited to use with the specificadditional features found in the preferred embodiment boom stand 10.

The specific arrangement and construction of stand 200 and pivoting boomsupport clamp 300 are better visible in FIGS. 2 and 3, which show thestand and clamp separate from base 100 and many of the features of boom400. From FIG. 2, the concentricity of the various telescoping tubes areillustrated, showing outer tube 210 and two inner tubes 211 and 212.Clamps 220 are provided which lock immediately adjacent tubes togetherto set a fixed physical or positional relationship therebetween. Forexample, clamp 220 may be used to lock outer tube 210 to the next innertube 211, and a like clamp 220 may be used to retain tube 211 to tube212. The number of telescoping segments and associated clamps 220 arenot critical to the functioning of the invention, but provide desiredflexibility of application in combination with relatively low weight andhigh strength. At the uppermost point of stand 200, in this case onextension tube 212 distal to clamp 220, is most preferably a pivotingboom support clamp 300, which will be explained in more detail hereinbelow. This clamp serves as an adjustable coupling between stand 200 andboom 400.

FIG. 4 illustrates a most preferred embodiment base 100 designed inaccord with the teachings of the present invention. Base 100 mostpreferably includes three arcuately shaped massive anchors 130, 132, 134that are extending at the ends of arms 120, 122 and 124 respectively,each distal to the center hole 110 of base 100. Center hole 110 isprovided to engage, by thread or other known coupling technique, with astand such as stand 200 of FIG. 1. While the number and arrangement ofcontact feet are not critical, six feet 140–145 are illustrated. In themost preferred embodiment, these feet 140–145 are preferablyelastomeric, such as from rubber or other similarly resilient compounds,to provide a desired combination of vibration isolation between base 100and a supporting floor or surface, and also to provide some degree offriction therebetween to provide a more secure anchor. Nevertheless,these rubber or elastomeric feet 140–145 may be replaced with casters orwheels, which will permit boom stand 10 to be used in applications wherea wheeled stand is preferred, such as for IV stands, electronicequipment, or for other diverse use.

Base 100 will also have several important dimensional relationships orproportions which offer significant additional utility. As illustratedin FIG. 4, arcuately shaped massive anchor 134 has a length denoted byL. Most preferably, this length L is greater than the opening d betweentwo adjacent arcuately shaped massive anchors 130, 132. Length L willalso most preferably be less than the maximum width D within an openingbounded by between adjacent arcuately shaped massive anchors 130, 132,legs 120, 122, and adjacent surface such as a floor. By adhering tothese ranges, it is possible to stack a plurality of boom stands 100 inmuch closer arrangement than was heretofore available in the prior art.The most critical of the relationships is that of the length L beingsmaller than D, to permit at least one arcuately shaped massive anchorsuch as anchor 134 to fit within the partially bounded region spanned bythe maximum width D. Furthermore, and as illustrated, it is alsopossible to gently curve the transition from adjacent arms to eachother, and thereby form a curve therebetween which is roughly comparableto the outer perimeter of at least one arcuately shaped massive anchor.This most preferred stacking arrangement is specifically illustratedfrom a bottom view in FIG. 15, which illustrates four bases 100 nestedtogether, wherein stands 200 supported thereon will each be spaced fromanother by just more than the single radius of base 100, rather than bya full diameter as was heretofore typical in the art.

As maybe apparent, to obtain the greatest anchoring capability, it isgenerally desirable to make arcuately shaped massive anchors 130, 132,134 relatively large, to thereby increase the total mass. Consequently,it may be desired for a particular application to expand L. However,most preferably, at least one of the arcuately shaped massive anchors130, 132, 134 will still remain small enough to fit within the outerperimeter defined by adjacent arcuately shaped massive anchors 130, 132,134. In other words, at a minimum d should be no less than an amountrequired to fit at least one of legs 120–124 within d. The maximumlength of legs 120–124 will be determined by the desire to avoidcreating a tripping hazard. As is known, as these legs are increased inlength, there is a correspondingly greater probability that a person orother object may collide with base 100, potentially toppling boom stand10. While the spacing between legs 120, 122 and 124 is illustrated asbeing such that each leg subtends a one hundred and twenty degree arcwith each adjacent leg, the exact spacing is not critical to theinvention, nor is the identical size or spacing. While these consistentsizes and angular relationships are preferred since any of the arcuatelyshaped massive anchors 130, 132, 134 may be dropped between like legs ofany other like boom stand base, this is not an essential requisite butmerely a significant convenience to better enhance the ease of use ofthe present invention. Varying sizes and angular relationships whichwould otherwise force placements in specific orientations are alsocontemplated herein, though recognized as being generally lessdesirable. Furthermore, the arcuately shaped massive anchors 130, 132,134 need not be continuous arcs as shown, but may also be furthersubdivided or may be of irregular geometry. Likewise, the mounting oflegs 120–124 to anchors 130–134, which in the preferred embodiment base100 places the legs 120–124 at midpoints of each arcuately shapedmassive anchors 130, 132, 134, is similarly optional and may be variedto place the legs at any reasonable supporting orientation.

FIG. 6 illustrates pivoting boom support clamp 300 by exploded view inmuch greater detail. As may be seen therein, a core or pivot block 310is adapted for mounting onto an end of a stand or extension and may beretained thereon through the insertion of fasteners into holes 311, orby other suitable means. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the pivot block 310from side and end views, respectively. As visible in FIG. 8, pivot block310 includes an opening 307 which is designed to receive the stand orextension such as extension 212 in the present invention. To retainpivot block 310 thereon, holes 311 are provided through which pins,bolts or other fasteners may pass to engage with the stand or extension.

Adjacent pivot block 310 are two optional brake glides 312 which may beof any material, but which in the preferred embodiment are mostpreferably polymeric and potentially elastomeric. Most preferably eachof the brake glides 312 has a side and end view as illustrated in FIGS.10 and 11, which most desirably resembles the outline of pivot block310. Adjacent to these brake glides 312 are discs 341, 342 which extendfrom a clamp body 340. Surrounding discs 341, 342 are brake pads 314,which most preferably have an outline resembling that of brake glides312, and which are finally sandwiched by brake pad backers 316 once morehaving that same or a similar outline. Bolt 330 and nut 332 pass throughthe various holes such as holes 309 in pivot block 310 and hole 315 inbrake glides 312 to form a pivotal axis about which clamp body 340 maypivot relative to pivot block 310 and the remainder of components310–316.

Two bolts 322 pass through various holes such as holes 308 in pivotblock 310, holes 313 in brake glides 312, and similar holes in brake padbackers 316. Bolts 322, in combination with pairs of bearings 324, adually-threaded pivot pin 326 and a single handle 328 provide anover-center clamp which, through the pivotal motion of handle 328, maybe used to apply a braking effect to the pivoting boom support clamp300. Threaded pivot pin 326 in the preferred embodiment has acylindrical body which is threaded at two places in a direction radialto the longitudinal cylindrical axis. A bolt 322 may be threaded througheach one of these threaded holes in threaded pivot pin 326, but notuntil after threaded pivot pin 326 is passed within hole 329. Once atleast one bolt 322 is threaded into threaded pivot pin 326, threadedpivot pin 326 will no longer be removable from hole 329. However, as maybe visible in FIG. 6, hole 329 is offset slightly from centered onhandle 328, such that rotary motion of handle 328 about the longitudinalaxis of threaded pivot pin 326 will vary the distance between threadedpivot pin 326 and bearing 324. Handle 328 must, of course, be designedto permit the passage of bolt 322, as is shown by the two notches 327 inFIG. 13. When two bolts 322 are threaded the proper distance intothreaded pivot pin 326, then handle 328 will in one position allowrelatively unrestricted pivoting between clamp body 340 and pivot block310. This would be rotated significantly from that shown in FIG. 6.However, when in the position shown, the extra space between threadedpivot pin 326 and bearing 324 will draw bolt 322 closer to bearing 324,and will consequently serve to compress each of the elements 310–316.Such compression will lead to substantial resistance to pivotal motionbetween clamp body 340 and pivot block 310. In other words, with handle328 in the position illustrated in FIG. 6 and also in FIG. 2, this willrepresent a locked position which prevents this pivotal motion.

The use of materials which are at least somewhat elastomeric for brakeglides 312 and brake pads 314 enables two very desirable benefits. Firstof all, the characteristics of engagement can be very preciselycontrolled to obtain, with the simple rotation of handle 328, apredictable and repeatable variation in the amount of friction betweenboom 400 and stand 200. Consequently, depending upon the intended boomload, these forces can be carefully controlled to give an idealcharacteristic, or these forces may be selected to provide a generalcharacteristic suitable for many diverse loads. Higher frequencyvibrations that may be induced into stand 200 will tend to be damped bythe elastomeric material between block 310 and clamp body 340, which isalso beneficial in some applications. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood that the characteristics and functions may be incorporatedunitarily into the materials, compositions or structures of the adjacentcomponents. In such case, it will be most preferred to preserve theperformance benefits that are associated herewith to obtain the fullbenefit of the invention, though it will be recognized that there may beapplications where not all of the features are required. Consequently,for a given application, some of the features may be sacrificed toreduce manufactured cost, piece part count, or for other reasons orbenefits which will be recognized by those reasonably skilled in theart.

Clamp body 340 has other significant features in the preferredembodiment boom stand 10, including an interior surface 343 throughwhich boom 400 may pass. Interior surface 343 may be caused to applyforce to boom 400 using an over-center mechanism which includes the sameor very similar components 322 and 324, and also a similar pin 226, anda handle 228 having a pin 229 therein. Handle 228 is illustrated in FIG.12, and, as apparent therein, differs from handle 338 by being somewhatnarrower and only including a single slot 227 as opposed to the dualslots 327 of handle 328. Owing to the presence of a small gap 344, whenthe over center clamp handle 228 is pivoted from an open position to aclosed one, gap 344 may be diminished and forces may be applied frominterior surface 343 to boom 400. Protrusions 345 and 346 provideadequate mounting for this second over-center mechanism. Clamp body 340additionally has an exterior surface 348 which includes two wire orcable guides 350, 352. These cable guides will most preferably permitthe elastic retention of cables or wires therein, typically by slightdeformation of the vinyl or similar insulation on the exterior of thecable as the cable is pressed into these guides 350, 352. These guidesthen permit one or more cables to be retained readily upon clamp body340, thereby avoiding loose cables and the potential risks andendangerment that would otherwise be associated therewith.

FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment clamp 220 from an end view.Once again, an over-center clamp is illustrated, using similar or likecomponents 322, 324 and 226, 228, 229. It should be noted herein thatthese components may be identical or different in final dimension oreven geometry, but are numbered identically herein to illustrate likefunction. Similarly, and upon a review of the present disclosure, othersof a myriad of hardware assemblies will be recognized as suitable insubstitute for these components. Nevertheless, and in accord with therequirements of the statutes, these are illustrated herein to enable anunderstanding of the present inventive concept. In the case of clamp220, a clamp body 240 most preferably has been extruded through anextrusion die, thereby ensuring a substantially consistent cross-sectiontaken transverse to the longitudinal axis of clamp body 240. For thepurposes of the present disclosure, it will be understood herein that“substantially consistent” includes the subsequent drilling of holes topermit the insertion of bolt 322 and the like, since such alterations donot degrade or detract from the basic operation of clamp body 240. Mostpreferably formed unitarily within clamp body 240 is at least one, andin the preferred embodiment, two cable guides 250, 252 which haveoperation and function similar to guides 350, 352. In operation verymuch like clamp body 340, clamp body 240 has an interior surface 253, asmall gap 254 which may be compressed, reduced or closed, and surfaces255, 256 which facilitate the control of gap 254 in association withclamping components 322, 324, 226, 228 and 229. Clamp 220 is designed tocircumscribe a tube having a longitudinally cut or split end which, as aresult of the material that has been removed, can be squeezed into asmaller diameter. If a region adjacent the end of a tube is providedwith longitudinally extending cuts 214 visible in FIG. 14, and isfurther provided with a reduced diameter 215 adjacent the end butseparated therefrom by only a small amount, then the present clamp 220may be placed thereabout, the over-center mechanism attached and set tothe proper tension, and clamp 220 will then stay in position about thereduced diameter region 215. The transition 216 from reduced diameter215 to slightly greater diameter at the very end of the tube will retainclamp 220 onto the tube, and the increase in diameter will provide aslight curve to transition 216 which will benefit interaction with aninner tube. This combination of staying attached onto the end of thetube and improved interaction with inner tubes is most preferred. In ayet further embodiment, the tube such as tube 210 may be swaged and,though swaging normally is strived to be symmetrical, in the preferredembodiment the swaged end may be specifically designed to be slightlyasymmetric at the end mating with a clamp, such that material extendsslightly into gaps such as 254 and 344. This prevents rotation betweenthe clamps and tube passing there through. Nevertheless, in a preferredembodiment as shown in FIG. 14, the end of tube 210 has a smallextension outside of or at a greater radius than the primary body oftube 210, which is shown in FIG. 14 as key 217. Most preferably, key 217will extend into the gaps such as 254 and 344 to prevent rotation.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate in much greater detail a preferred embodimentjoint 420 and coupler 421 of FIG. 1, though it will be understood thatother suitable couplers and joints may also be incorporated herein toobtain the intended operation of the remainder of components. As bestvisible in FIG. 16, coupler 421 is most preferably connected to joint420 through a microphone pivot clamp 540 which is operated by handle 528in association with clamping components 522, 524, 526, and 529, thefunctional operation which is essential identical to clamping components322, 324, 226, 228 and 229, the operation of which has been discussedherein above.

Clamp 540 is shown in much greater detail in FIGS. 18–22, and includes areceiver, which may be an opening or a cavity which permits the head ofcoupler 421 to be received therein for rotary movement. When theclamping components 522, 524, 526, 528 and 529 are actuated to clamp,force is applied to the head of coupler 421, preventing or providingsubstantial resistance to rotary movement. However, when clampingcomponents 522, 524, 526, 528 and 529 are actuated to release, coupler421 is sufficiently released to move through a rotation, but is notreleased in an axial direction, and so is consequently retained withinclamp 540.

An additional alternative cable clamp 550 is illustrated, which may beused with or instead of the cable clamps 250, 252, 350, and 352illustrated herein above. In the most preferred embodiment, cable clamp550 has a V-shaped opening, best visible in FIG. 18, which is adapted toprogressively receive one or a plurality of cables therein. Mostpreferably, small undulations or diameter curves may be provided whichcorrespond to specific diameters of cables. These undulations willthereby permit a particular smaller size of cable to be nested mostdeeply within cable clamp 550, while the largest diameter cable will benested in and retained at the outer, or as shown in FIG. 18, top portionof cable clamp 550. The undulations or curves ensure that the cablesmust be inserted with light force, and will consequently be retainedtherein to prevent the release therefrom. Said another way, the Vcross-section is most preferably inconsistent, whereby the spacingbetween the walls while overall gradually decreasing, on a smaller scalealternatively increases and decreases through several repetitions ofincrease and decrease. With each increase following a decrease, a cablewill consequently be retained within the increased gap.

FIG. 17 best illustrates joint 420, including similar clampingcomponents 422, 424, 426, 428 and 429, which are actuated to clamp themicrophone-end swivel 456 to the tube-end swivel 455, and therebycontrol relative rotation therebetween. FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27illustrate a preferred microphone-end swivel half 456 from side, end,bottom, top and opposed end views, respectively, while FIGS. 28, 29, 30,31 and 32 illustrate a preferred tube-end swivel half 455 from side,end, bottom, top and opposed end views, respectively. The materials usedfor these swivel halves 455, 456 may be selected once again forparticular properties or characteristics as desired, and as discussedwith respect to components 310–316 herein above.

FIGS. 33 and 34 illustrate a preferred microphone pivot pin from sideand end views, respectively, designed in accord with the teachings ofthe present invention and operable in association with the preferredcoupler 420 and clamp 540.

FIGS. 35 and 36 illustrate the auxiliary boom clamp assembly includingauxiliary boom clamp 600 and auxiliary clamp 411. As is most apparentfrom FIG. 36, first and second opposed clamp brackets 610 and 611surround inner tube 211. Through the force of handle 615 rotated aboutscrew 612, which causes handle 615 to draw towards pivot 613, clampbrackets 610 and 611 may be caused to squeeze about inner tube 211. Whenin the position shown in FIG. 36, where handle 615 is spaced from clampbracket 611, handle 615 and screw 612 may be rotated about pivot 613through a substantial arc, such as a full ninety degree counterclockwiserotation. This movement will permit auxiliary clamp 411 to be removedfrom inner tube 211.

Supported distal to screw 612 on clamp bracket 610 is auxiliary boomclamp 600. Auxiliary boom clamp 600 uses over-center components that arefunctionally similar or identical to those already described hereinabove with reference to clamping components 422, 424, 426, 428 and 429,but which are numbered within this assembly as clamping components 622,624, 626, 628 and 629. The action of these clamping components is tosqueeze together and lock or alternatively pivotally release rotaryplate 616, brake pad 614, and clamp bracket 610. In the preferredembodiment auxiliary boom clamp 600, a rubber or elastomeric materialwill most preferably be used for brake pad 614, which provides anexcellent combination of friction and offers potential vibrationdampening. The clamping components will additionally squeeze clamp body640 about the auxiliary boom tubing to retain it therein. A cable guide650 which is functionally equivalent to cable guide 550 is alsopreferably provided.

While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodimentof the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimedinvention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives thatwould be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered tobe incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth andparticularly described in the claims hereinbelow.

1. A microphone boom stand uniquely adapted to provide both rigidsupport and vibration damping, comprising: a base; a riser stand risingfrom said base; a boom adapted to support a microphone in a locationhorizontally displaced from said riser stand; a clamp having a pivotingarrangement and having a clamping arrangement securing said boom to saidstand, said clamping arrangement operative when said clampingarrangement is in a first position to permit relative motion betweensaid boom and said riser stand and said clamping arrangement operativewhen said clamping arrangement is in a second position to preventrelative motion between said boom and said riser stand, said clamphaving a fixed member, at least one rotary disc, and at least oneelastomeric member that is in frictional engagement between said fixedmember and said at least one rotary disc when said clamping arrangementis in said second position; at least one extension coupled to said riserstand and retractable and alternatively extendable relative to saidriser stand; an extension lock for locking said riser standconcentrically about said extension to form a generally fixed mechanicalrelationship therebetween, said extension lock comprising: asubstantially constant operative cross-sectional shape between a firstlongitudinal end and a second longitudinal end distal to said firstlongitudinal end when cut transverse to a longitudinal axis and havingan inner surface operative to apply compressive forces against saidriser stand and an exterior surface; and a means for compressing saidinner surface; and a cord retention clip formed unitarily with saidextension lock adjacent said extension lock exterior surface,operatively extending between said first longitudinal end and saidsecond longitudinal end, and adapted to elastically retain an electricalcord therein.
 2. The microphone boom stand of claim 1, wherein saidclamp further comprises a means for applying a compressive force betweensaid at least one rotary disc, said at least one elastomeric member andsaid fixed member.
 3. The microphone boom stand of claim 2, wherein saidmeans for applying a compressive force further comprises at least oneover-center clamp beyond an outer radius of said rotary disc.
 4. Themicrophone boom stand of claim 1, wherein said base further comprises:first, second and third arms extending radially from a center point andsubtending a circle into similar angular displacements; first, secondand third massive anchors attached on the respective ends of said first,second and third arms each at a location distal to said center point,and extending generally arcuately and discontinuously about a circularcircumference generally concentric with said center point, each of saidfirst, second and third massive anchors spaced from adjacent massiveanchors by an amount greater than required to permit at least one ofsaid first, second and third arms to pass therebetween and spaced fromadjacent massive anchors by an amount less than a distance required topass the maximum dimension of said first, second and third massiveanchors therebetween.
 5. A boom stand clamp in combination with a boomstand, said boom stand having a base, a microphone support, and a riserstand rising from said base to said microphone support and having afirst boom stand tube and a second boom stand tube, said boom standclamp comprising: a substantially constant operative cross-sectionalshape between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal enddistal to said first longitudinal end when cut transverse to alongitudinal axis; an inner surface operative to apply compressiveforces; an exterior surface; a means for compressing said inner surfacehaving a first state operative to apply compressive forces sufficient toclamp said first boom stand tube concentrically about said second boomstand tube to form a generally fixed mechanical relationshiptherebetween and a second state operative to release said compressiveforces to permit relative motion between said first boom stand tube andsaid second boom stand tube; and a cord retention clip formed unitarilywith said clamp adjacent said exterior surface, operatively extendingbetween said first longitudinal end and said second longitudinal end,and adapted to elastically retain an electrical cord therein.
 6. Theboom stand clamp of claim 5, wherein said compressing means furthercomprises an over-center mechanism for compressing said inner surface.